Phoenix 24
A routine bicycle trip interrupts a breakthrough cycling career.
BARCELONA, Spain. Spanish cycling sensation Paula Blasi has suffered a fractured left elbow following an unexpected bicycle accident while shopping for groceries, disrupting preparations for her highly anticipated debut with Movistar Team in 2027.
The 23-year-old cyclist, one of the standout performers of the 2026 women’s cycling season, revealed the injury in a video published on her YouTube channel, documenting both the accident and her subsequent recovery.
Blasi explained that she had completed a regular training ride earlier in the day without difficulty. Later, while cycling to a nearby grocery store, she encountered an object on the road that caused her to lose control.
She fell over the handlebars and landed heavily on her left arm, fracturing her elbow.
Despite the setback, the Catalan rider has maintained an optimistic attitude, sharing images of her injured arm, medical examinations and modified training sessions.
Within three days of the accident, she had resumed exercising on an indoor bicycle trainer. She has also continued working in the gym, adapting her routine to avoid unnecessary strain on the affected joint.
A subsequent medical examination indicated that the fracture was healing without displacement, allowing her to begin cautiously rebuilding mobility.
Eight days after the accident, Blasi reported completing an outdoor training ride, although she acknowledged that her arm remained weaker and less stable than usual.
The injury comes at a significant moment in her career.
Blasi enjoyed a remarkable 2026 season, winning the Vuelta a España Femenina and the Amstel Gold Race while finishing fifth overall in her Tour de France Femmes debut.
Those achievements helped establish her among the leading cyclists in the women’s international peloton and contributed to her third-place finish in the UCI world rankings.
Her performances also attracted Movistar Team, which secured her services on a three-year contract beginning in 2027.
The accident has already affected her winter competition plans, including a scheduled cyclocross appearance in Les Franqueses.
Although Blasi hopes to return to racing in December, she has emphasized that her participation will depend on recovering sufficient strength and confidence.
No official date has been announced for her first race wearing Movistar colors.
The situation illustrates the unpredictable nature of professional sports, where even routine activities away from competition can interrupt carefully structured training programmes.
For Blasi, the immediate objective is a complete recovery before beginning the next chapter of a rapidly developing career.
Beyond the Numbers, the Human Achievement.